News

NFU Responds to Canadian Efforts to Undermine COOL

21 August 2013

US - The Canadian government recently issued a press release, asking for a new World Trade Organization (WTO) review of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL).

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson responded to the press release. He said: "The issues raised by the Canadian government to the WTO are issues between two sovereign countries. While Canada has the right to seek a determination on whether the United States’ action is consistent with the US obligations, NFU and our allies have long believed that the revised regulations are, in fact, consistent with WTO obligations.

"It is important to remember that the WTO process is separate from the pending court litigation regarding COOL. The lawsuit brought forward by the packers, processors and foreign interests challenges the 23 May final USDA rule. As we have said before, we believe there is no merit in the court litigation and have intervened to defend the regulations, which are supported by producers and consumers."